Nigel Lythgoe issues apology for homophobic remarks

From AfterElton:

"I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the "So You Think You Can Dance" audition and on my personal status update. I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such.

I have been forthright and consistent with my opinion, as a judge, that professional male dancers should move with strength and agility -- like Gene Kelly and Rudolph Nureyev. I now realize how this could be misconstrued.

I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years. Professionally and personally, I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant. All that said, the fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward.

Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"

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Oh well. Must be a generational thing. Nigel still finds "humor" in talking about how a man looks effeminate.

If he really wants to insist on his artistic opinion on the show, he should just stop using the word "masculine" and instead use the vaguer "strong" or "you should look like a foundation for your partner" or something along those lines. His "brokeback" tweet the other day was clearly meant to say he did not like seeing dancers on stage look "gay".